Thaddeus faiebanks



NoModel.)

T. FAIRBANKS.

WATER HEATER.

Patented Apr. 12, 1887.

N. PETERS, Phnm-Liumgnpher. wnhingiun, D. C,

UNITED STATES lil/WENT OFFICE.

THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, OF ST. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TOTHE FEED VATER HEATER COMPANY, OF SAME PLAGE.

WATER-H EATER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. aereos, dated April 12,1887.

Application filed October 16'I 1885. Renewed February 25, 1887. Serial No. 238,905. (No model.)

To ,all whom, it 71mg/ concern:

Be it known that I, THADDEUs FiirRBANKs, of St. Johnsbury, in the countyk of Caledonia and Stateof Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Water-Heaters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

I will describe the invention as applied to a locomotive for heating the feed-water, although it may be understood that the same may be applied inothersituations-asin steamnavigation and in manufactories, and forheat` ing water for other purposes:

I have discovered that steam will circulate in pipes with closed ends, surrounded by the water to be heated, if the -pipes are placed -a little inclined and connected with a liberal passage or chamber, through which the steam is discharged. By causing the water on its way from the pump to the boiler to circulate once forward and backward through a properly-inclined cylinder thickly iilled with such tubes, and making the connection of the exitpipe a little below the extreme top, so as to retain a quantity of air to serve as a cushion, I produce a very compact and efficient heater, capable of allowing the discharge of any quantityofexhaust-steamwithout appreciablebackpressure, efficiently heating any quantity of feed-water, and avoiding all concussions.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention. 1 p

Figure lis a central Vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 a vertical transverse section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures where they occur.

A is a cylinder, of boiler-iron, mounted in an inclined position under the boiler M; and B, an end plate, secured by removable bolts b. A series of pipes, a, are tightly and strongly set in a plate, C, bolted or riveted to the opposite end of A. These pipes extend nearly to the opposite end of the cylinderA. A case, D, inclosing a sufiicient chamber, is secured by bolts in the position shown, and receives steam through a pipe, E, discharging it with the water of condensation 'through a pipe, F. Any

required portion of the exhaust-steam from an engine (not represented) may beledin through the pipe E. A trap (not shown) may aid to discharge the Water of condensation resulting from the cooling of the steam by the feed-water 5 5 surrounding the pipes rt,- but I esteemit preferable to discharge a small continuous current of steam.

A partition, A`f extending from one end nearly to the other, divides the interior of the 5c cylinderA into two parallel chambers or channels, each traversed by the thickly-set tubes a. They are connected by a 'liberal opening. Feedwater-under a strong pressure from a feed-pump or injector (not represented) is received through a pipe, G, and,circulating between the pipes a on one side of the partition Aft, flows across the partition and back between the pipes a on the other side. It iows out through the pipe H, and is admitted into 7o the boiler throughan ordinary checkwalve. (Not represented.)

A partition, a', is inserted in each pipe a, extending nearly the whole length. I nd that the exhaust-steam-in the casingD is by this ar- 7 5 rangement induced to circulate actively in the several pipes a, the current of steam moving upward and forward above the partition a', and downward and backward below it.

The partitions a are corrugated longitudinally, so that the cross-sectionof each presents theform of the letter S. They may be of thin sheet metal of a size to alittle more than eX- tend across the interiors of the several pipes a in their natural form, and on being forced in will'be rmlyretained by their elasticity.

The construction may be easily separated for cleaning or repairs.

Iattach importance to my provision for supporting the plate O. The pressure of the feedwater is frequently considerably in excess of that of the steam in the boiler, especially at certain points in each stroke when there is no air in the apparatus to relieve the parts from concussion. The plate C is exposed to this strain, and is weakened by the junction of the tubes a. I support the plates C by extending a number of spurs inward from the outer casing, B, iitting their ends fairly and rmly against C, as indicated by D.

IOO

I attach importance to the inclined position of the parts and to the provisions in connection therewith for allowing the exhaust-steam to move freely through the chamber D, While the partitions ain theinelined pipes a facilitate the circulation of the steam through the pipes Without obstructing its flow. The partition Ail extending nearly the whole length of the casing, and the water-connections being near together at the opposite end with the partial partition A* standing between them in the easing, insures that the feed-water shall traverse the entire space within the casing and be subjected to the heat of all the tubes.

The inclination of the casing and thejunction of the water-connection H at a point considerably below the top leaves a space Within the easing above the junction of the pipe H, in which air may be retained and serve as an airchamber. This is important in reducingr the concussions,particularly when the locomo tive is running at a high speed, and the feed is partially shut off` so that the pump or pumps deliver intermittently.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions without departing from the prineiple orsacriiicing the advantages of the invention. The proportion of the height to the diameter may be varied. The number of the pipes a may be increased or diminished. Other means than those shown may be employed for closing the ends of the cylinder A. It is important to secure strength with tightness and facility of access when required.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a water-heater,the cylinder A and tubes a, with their partial partitions a inclined, as shown, in combination with thesteanrconnections E F, freely connnunicating with each other, and with the tubes a through the chamber D, and with water-connections G II, and partial partitions Ai, all arranged for joint operation, substantially as herein specified.

2. In afeed-waterheater, the removable ease D, having spurs D', in combination with the cylinder A, removable tube-plate C, inclined tubes a,l1aving partitions a,steamconnections E F, and water-connections G H, all arranged for joint operation, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at St. Johnsbury,Vermont, this 5th day of October, 1885, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THADDEUS FAIRBANKS.

Witnesses:

HENRY FAIRBANKs, ROBERT FAIRBANKs. 

